PRESS RELEASE

26th June 2008

Civil engineers turn their attention to cows

A herd of Dexter cattle are the latest beneficiaries of the long-standing relationship between Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Cheshire-based Edmund Nuttall civil engineering contractors.

Skilled workmen from Nuttall spent a day working on Bickley Hall Farm, near Malpas, constructing a handling pen for the unusual breed of cows that live at Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s rural headquarters.

The steel structure, made from the same materials used for road safety barriers, will be valuable to the cattle’s well being over coming months. Not only will it mean that the cows can be herded into a small area for health checks to be carried out more easily, with it being located just outside the shed, it will also allow calves to cool down when they are kept indoors throughout the winter months.

Allan Stubbs, from Cheshire Wildlife Trust, says: “The workmen from Nuttall did a sterling job in building the cow pen, which is already proving to be a major help to the Trust’s farmer. Corporate relationships have proved invaluable to the Trust over the years and it’s a privilege to work with Nuttall, which shows continued commitment to conservation in the Cheshire area.”

Steve Addison, Project Manager for Edmund Nuttall Cheshire Highways contract, says: “Having an awareness about the environment around us is an essential part of civil engineering and our partnership with Cheshire Wildlife Trust allows us to make a positive impact on the ground and also gain a better idea of the issues faced by wildlife and habitats in the area.”

The Edmund Nuttall company has been a Silver level corporate member of the Trust since 2007 and have helped conservation efforts in the county on several occasions, both in a practical way, where staff have spent time volunteering on projects and also with financial contributions.

For more details about corporate membership opportunities with Cheshire Wildlife Trust, please call Allan Stubbs on 01948 822205

Ends

*From 6 April 2008 the water vole received and increased level of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (England Order 2008). This increased protection added prohibitions against intentional killing, taking or injury, possession and sale.